First time in a Celebrity Suite....what to expect?

[SadieC]

Celebrity management came through big time, and was able to retrieve our lost reservation for a Celebrity suite. We normally travel concierge class. What differences will we see? (besides the obvious-bigger stateroom/balcony) What exactly does a butler do? This is a cruise to the Panama that is booked for the beginning of November.

[jelayne]

Butler can do many things but the things they have done for us are: Making speciality restaurant reservations, handling laundry/dry cleaning,

Delivering breakfast,complete with white table cloth, arranging a small cocktail party in our suite, getting a button sewn on, bringing a afternoon snack to our stateroom, having the cabin decorated for DHs birthday.

 

They will pack & unpack for you, on EC nights they will met you at the theater and escort you to the reserved seating area, and probably some other things that we never have them do.

[groryjm]

Not forgetting Luminae and Michael's :)

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Well, normally I'd tell you to look up the benefits on Celebrity's website, but given the current state of affairs there, here are some of the benefits. You will have access to Michael's Club. All drinks there are complimentary. There's also afternoon tea there. You will dine in Luminae, the suite restaurant. The butler's job is to take care of you. Anything you need--just ask. You will also have a cabin attendant who will take care of the suite. Priority embarcation, disembarcation, tendering. Some sort of sparkling wine. Slippers. That's all I can think of off the top of my head right now. You will love the suite experience!

[groryjm]

There are other unwritten little touches like possible helipad sail aways and bridge tours

[Host Jazzbeau]

We found having breakfast delivered to our suite really started the day off right. DW would get her order early, then my would be ordered for 30 minutes later. Everything came exactly as ordered and exactly on time. That allowed us to tag-team the bathroom, and everybody was done without any hassle at the same time.

 

We were sharing private excursions with a few couples from the roll call, so we asked the butler to arrange a little party for the group. We had saved our bottle of welcome bubbly, and another couple brought theirs. The butler provided a really nice spread of fruit, cheese, etc. and set the table. And then of course cleared everything away. It was wonderful!

[ClaudiaB]

We have sailed in a Celebrity suite only once but in sky suites a number of times, so we have kind of gotten our drill down as to what we do and don't use the butler for.

 

We don't use him for unpacking and packing. That, to me, is a little creepy - and how do they know where and how I want things? I don't want them touching my stuff. On occasion I've left an item of clothing out and have come back to find it folded or put away. I don't like that either. Might be just me.

 

We do like a little snack in the afternoons. Our last cruise had the butlers in Michael's Club for the afternoon tea service, but we asked for some in our cabin. It was no problem. We made specific requests such as shrimp one day, raw veggies and hummus another day (specifying exactly what veggies), fruit and cheese, crackers and nuts one day - and alternate. That was lovely. We had a chuckle about the veggies. I wanted JUST broccoli and celery. They just didn't get that completely, always wanted to sneak in a red pepper or zucchini or something. ;p

 

We also don't get the butler to walk us to the reserved seats in the theatre. Seems a bit pretentious and unnecessary. We *do* sit in the top center balcony which is where the reserved seats are, but we avoid the escort. Some love it, but I can't help but feel the stares. I want to blend in, not call attention to myself. A butler on your arm definitely calls attention.

 

We also make our own reservations. I can pick up a phone easily. If there's an issue I ask the Michael's Club concierge.

 

Where we enjoyed the most "suite" experience is the MC concierge who had almost daily teas, mini concerts (piano player, guitar player, etc.) in the afternoons, and tours of the engine room control room, helipad invites, bridge tours, small galley tours, backstage tours. These were smaller and more comprehensive than the bigger tours from the captain's club. We also got some great bar service in MC. Made some drinks for us that were way off menu. Had our favorites after the first day.

 

On some cruises there are lots of people ready to get together and chat and have a great time in Michael's Club. On our last cruise it seemed like no one wanted to get together and talk - it was all tables of two and no real socializing. We ended up spending our pre-dinner time up at the elite cocktail hour in the Sky Lounge which is prettier anyway, because there are windows and it's sunset on the ocean! After it turned dark we did MC on some evenings, but on some we never ventured in at all. No one was talking! They were having more fun at Ensemble Lounge and Martini Bar so we went there. Every cruise might be different. And....we always travel by ourselves, not with a group.

 

Breakfast in your cabin is wonderful. Since 2004 we have had nearly every port day breakfast in our cabin. Makes the whole process of coming and going more relaxing and we love sitting on the balcony as we pull into port. The butler will bring your meals to you. The cabin steward will take care of the cabin.

[ccotting]

Bit confused by the comments around Breakfast. Can you not have breakfast in your cabin if you are not in a suite? Room service breakfast?

[wrk2cruise]

Yes all cabins can have room service breakfast. The difference in a suite is that the menu is a bit different (but you can ask for almost anything) and that is is delivered by the butler and the table is fully setup with tablecloth etc. In other cabins they bring a tray and set it down.

[jagoffee]

Bit confused by the comments around Breakfast. Can you not have breakfast in your cabin if you are not in a suite? Room service breakfast?

 

Yes, you can have room service breakfast in your cabin when staying in any cabin. The choices are more expansion in some of the cabin categories (Conceirge, Aqua, and Suites)

[SadieC]

Thanks everyone! Very much appreciate all the advice and on "count down" to our Panama cruise in November.:D

[writerjoe]

The suite experience on Celebrity is fantastic.

 

Breakfast in Luminae is excellent, however on port days we have room service in the suite. Fill out your breakfast card the night before. You don't need to order off the menu. I like eggs benedict with smoked salmon, fresh fruit, coffee and a danish... not on the menu, no problem.

 

We visited Michael's Club once or twice a day. The cocktail server will get to know you quickly. They have a full bar and if they don't have what you want, they will get it from another bar on the ship.

 

If you like cookies and milk before bed, just let the butler know and he will have it there nightly.

 

The best thing about the larger suites is the comfortable outdoor lounge. Get an extra blanket and pillow and sleep out under the stars. It's an amazing experience.